"The prohibition on physician-assisted dying infringes the right to life, liberty and security of the person in a manner that is not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice," the court wrote, adding that an absolute ban is not needed to ensure that vulnerable people are not coerced "to commit suicide at a time of weakness."

The decision, which follows hearings last fall, comes at a time when Canadians are widely debating assisted deaths.

In June, Quebec passed legislation that would allow the practice starting at the end of this year. Until the Supreme Court ruling Friday, that seemed likely to be overturned under federal criminal statutes.

Then, in August, the Canadian Medical Association altered its long-established opposition to doctors' assisting in suicides. Its new policy allows physicians, within the bounds of law, "to follow their conscience when deciding whether to provide medical aid in dying."

But some groups that advocate for disabled people and some churches urged the court not to revoke the law.

Steven Fletcher, a Conservative member of Parliament who was paralyzed in 1996 in an automobile accident, praised the court's ruling.

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"It will allow people to live longer because they will have the peace of mind knowing that they won't have a horrible death," he told reporters at the Supreme Court, explaining that some patients kill themselves when they are still capable of doing so because they do not have later options.

The decision does not immediately allow physicians to assist patients in their deaths. Existing legislation and regulations will remain in place for one year to allow the federal government, which enforces criminal law, and provinces, which administer health care, to adopt new measures. That raised the possibility that assisted deaths might become an issue in the federal election later this year.

Dr. Chris Simpson, the president of the medical association, said in a statement that it would work with governments to ensure that physicians will not be required to assist in patients' deaths because of the court ruling.